Connect Windose and Linux to a multifunction printer?

[A.S. Pushkin]

Apologies for asking this question.

My wife has a Windose PC and I have a Linux box. We share a Brother Multifunction printer. I have simply switched the USB cable back and forth,
but I think it's time to do something more civil.

I purchased a Trendnet print server and USB wireless dongle on the way home from work. Both were recommended. I have a Netgear WNDA3100v2,
which has never worked, but I hoped this other might. No luck so I'm giving up on the wireless crap on Linux, which leads me to ask what wired hardware do I need.
The shop I go to has been generally helpful. Some of the fellows show the look of amazement when I tell them I run Linux. Most have limited knowledge
on what I need.

My budget is very (read very very tight which might be obvious when one considers I began to acquire hard ware for a new box a year and a half ago; my i7-4770K may
obsolete when I put the box together next month!)

So, in a nutshell, if anyone might suggest how I may do this I'd much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.
_________________
ASPushkin

"In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell

[ct85711]

Everytime I've shared a printer between multiple computers, is I used cups to share it to the network. best part, doesn't cost anything (if both computers are connected to the network).
This is assuming your computers are connected on a network (i.e. like sharing the internet connection).

For me, I connect the printer to the linux box using regular usb.
According to what you posted, it sounds like you already have cups setup to work with the printer, you are already part of the way there.
Most likely, you need to go back into cups, and set cups to Share the printer.
For me, I use the web interface (localhost:631), goto administration and click the manage printers
Select your printer, on the drop down for Administration select modify printer.
Click continue, to goto the second page, and that page should have a option for "Share This Printer". After that is set, you are done for that stuff

Go back to the home administation page, on the right, you should have something like

[charles17]

[A.S. Pushkin]

Thanks for the input, ct85711 and charles17.

Yes, I do have CUPS working on my box, but I do not have a network, or not a real one. At this point we have a Netgear wireless router, a WNDA3100v2,
but I do like both of your suggestions to use a network. That, of course, leads me to ask for suggestions on a switch or other appropriate device
to create that network. It appears that Netgear does not plan to upgrade the firmware any further so I would consider a new one.

Would you suggest Linux friendly hardware.

Thanks again.
_________________
ASPushkin

"In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell

[charles17]

[A.S. Pushkin]

This device is a wireless dongle. It was an impulsive buy with the Netgear WNR3500L, which has worked quite well.

There are some hacks for the router as it is FOSS. One appears to allow it to function as a print server using the
the USB port. I note a few people have bricked their device.
_________________
ASPushkin

"In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell

[C5ace]

I use a Linux based TP-Link TD-VG3631. ADSL Modem Router with VoIP, etc. Retails in Australia for about $100 ~$120.

One Printer connected to one USB port, a two TB drive to the second USB port as NAS and a second printer via wireless serving 2 Linux Desktops, 1 Linux and two Windows Laptops, 2 Smartphones and 2 fixed line phones..

.

[charles17]

[A.S. Pushkin]

C5ace TP-Link TD-VG3631 sounds great! I'll keep that in mind, but I'm on cable here in the States. Running hardware like you are sounds great!

charles17 I have a V1 on the WNR3500L, which does offer some hope. I'm researching Tomato and DD-WRT, both of which potentially allow this
wireless router to act as a print server, I think. Searches of the web suggested it may be on the old side, but a very good device. I was looking at some
other Netgear routers that are newer models and they appear to already support features I want. My budget for a new Linux box is
already a wee bit too high so I'm trying to not buy a new router if I can help it. If I brick this thing I may have to buy one anyway.

If I do flash new firmware from the above, I'll post what happens.

.

[C5ace]

[Roman_Gruber]

I just have read the first post.

Well, check out the cups page=> cups is the piece of software used for printing in linux.

personally in the old days wiht my brother i just went with the data cartridte to my brother and used the printer.
Assuming you are allowed / have access to use the computer for a few minutes to print something.
---

in the windows world, there was some sort of feature where you could e.g. a parralllel port printer share on the network with anyone.

or you go and buy some hardware which does this. It all depends on waht are you printing out. just documents or also random webpages and such...

Usually i create even here on my single box, pdf files and print those pdf files, because you see instantly on how the print will look like and do not waste paper when they are not to your liking.

and of coure you can use custom firmware to create a printserver... with routers ...

even my techniccolor adslmodem, which is for sure the cheapest which is available, has a print server feature...

it sums all up on your decission on how to mange it at the end.